Chart creation apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus arranged to create an original chart which is disposed on a platen of a multi-color electrophotographic printing machine for producing color copies thereof. The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[451 Apr. 16, 1974 United States Patent [1 1 Castle CHART CREATION APPARATUS 75 I t Willi C a P f d, Primary Examiner-John M. Horan men or am as l s or Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. J. Ralabate; H. Fleischer; [73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford, C, A. Green Conn.

ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 351,126

An apparatus arranged to create an original chart whichis disposed on a platen of a multi-color electrophotographic printing machine for producing color copies thereof.

The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor is it 425 em 7 A wZH 5 5 3 9 2 H 9G" m I 5 mm 3 mm mmr m L. mt C d Ld .l UhF 11]] 2 8 555 [.l.l.

intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures sum 1 [1F 2 PATENTEDAPR 16 m4 PATENTEDAPR 1-6 1974 SHEET 2 [IF 2 vcarrier granules and adhere thereto. After the toner CHART CREATION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a multi-color elec- 5 trophotographic printing machine, and more particularly concerns a chart creation apparatus utilized in conjunction therewith to produce color copies thereof.

An electrophotographic process uses a photoconductive surface which is charged to a substantially uniform potential in order tO be sensitized. The charged photoconductive surface is, thereafter, exposed to a light image of an original document to be reproduced. As a consequence of the exposure, the charge is selectively dissipated in the irradiated areas in accordance with the light intensity reaching the photoconductive surface. In this manner, and electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original document is recorded on the photoconductive surface. Development of the electrostatic latent image is achieved by bringing the charged photoconductive surface into contact with a developer mix. Typical developer mixes employed are well known, and generally comprise a heated settable dyed thermoplastic powder known in the art as toner particles, which is mixed with carrier granules such as ferromagnetic granules. The toner particles and carried granules are selected such that the toner particles have the appropriate charge relative to the electrostatic latent image recorded on the photoconductive surface. When the developer mix is brought into contact with the charged photoconductive surface, the greater attractive force of the electrostatic latent image recorded thereon causes the toner particles to transfer from the powder image is formed on the photoconductive surface, it is transferred to a sheet of support material. The foregoing process is repeated a plurality of cycles when a multi-color electrophotographic printing machine is utilized. Each cycle reproduces a discrete color of the original on the support material. After all of the single color toner powder images have been transferred to the support material, the multi-layered toner powder image is permanently fixed thereto.

Heretofore an original document being reproduced was merely disposed on the platen of the electrophotographic printing machine. However, with the advent of multi-color electrophotographic printing machines the art of creating an original document become of greater significance. Generally, a typical chart or graph requires the utilization of drafting techniques or a colorcreation kit requiring a high level of manual dexterity. This type of skill may generally not be found in typical office personnel. Thus, in order to obtain graphs which have the requisite accuracy and color balance, it is frequently necessary to utilize highly skilled personnel. Moreover, conventional graphs are usually made for reproduction as black and white copies and have shadings, darts, slashes and cross hatchings as differentiations between various regions thereon. The time generally required to prepare an original chart is at least a half an hour and usually requires the utilization of skilled individuals. Hence, it is evident that it would be advantageous to develop a technique of creating original graphs in a simple manner, wherein the resultant original graph is designed for usage in a multi-color electrophotographic printing machine.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to improve the apparatus utilized in the formation of a chart for use as an original document in multi-color electrophotographic printing machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated and in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for creating a chart.

This is accomplished in the present instance by a frame member and a plurality of elongated indicator members. Pursuant to the present invention, the frame member has an aperture therein and a plurality of equally spaced guide portions. The guide portions are arranged to extend throughout the peripheral region of the frame member. Each of the elongated indicator members is adapted to pass through the guide portions of the frame member andextend into the apertures thereof, thereby forming a bar chart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed'description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a multicolor electrophotographic color printing machine employing the chart creation apparatus of the present invention as an original document therein; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chart creation apparatus adapted for use with the FIG. 1 printing machine.

While the present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For a general understanding of the disclosed multicolor electrophotographic printing machine in which the chart creation apparatus of the present invention may be utilized, continued reference is had to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements. The multi-color electrophotographic printing machine, depicted schematically in FIG. 1, illustrates the various components utilized therein for producing multi-color copies of the chart creation apparatus. Although the chart creation apparatus of the present invention is particularly well adapted for use in the foregoing electrophotographic printing machine, it should become evident from the following discussion that it is equally well suited for use in a wide variety of electrostatographic printing machines and is not necessarily limited in its application to the particular embodiment shown herein.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the inulti-color electrophotographic printing machine illustrated therein employs a drum 10 mounted rotatably within the machine frame (not shown). Drum 10 has entrained about the exterior circumferential surface thereof photoconductive surface 12, which iS secured thereto. A suitable photoconductive material is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,655,377 issued to Sechak in 1972. Drum 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow 14 by a drive motor (not shown) within the printing machine. In this way photoconductive surface 12 passes sequentially through a series of Processing stations. Drum rotates at a substantially constant speed and includes a timing disc mounted on one end region thereof for triggering the machine logic to thereby coordinate the sequence of events at the various processing stations therewith.

First, drum 10 rotates photoconductive surface 12 through charging station A. A corona generating de-v vice, indicated generally at 16, is positioned at charging station A. Corona generating device 16 extends in a longitudinal direction transversely across photoconductive surface 12 and generates a spray of ions. The spray of ions from corona generating device 16 charge photoconductive surface 12 to a relatively high substantially uniform potential. Preferably, corona generating device 16 is of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,946 issued to Mayo in 1957.

After photoconductive surface 12 is charged to a substantially uniform potential, drum 10 rotates to exposure station B. At exposure station B, a color filtered light image of'the chart creation apparatus is projected onto charged photoconductive surface 12. Exposure station B includes thereat a moving lens system, generally designated by the reference number 18, and a color filter mechanism, shown generally at 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the chart creation apparatus of the present invention, designated generally at 22, is placed face down upon transparent platen 24. Chart creation apparatus 22 will be described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2. A lamp assembly, indicated generally at 26, is disposed beneath transparent platen 24 and illuminates chart creation apparatus 22 disposed thereon. Lamp assembly 26, lens system 18, and color filter mechanism are moved in a timed relation with drum 10 to scan successive incremental areas of chart creation apparatus 22 disposed upon platen 24. In this manner, a flowing light image of chart creation apparatus 22 is created and projected onto photoconductive surface 12. The irriadiated areas of photoconductive surface 12 are discharged to form an electrostatic latent image thercon corresponding to chart creation apparatus 22. Filter mechanism 20 is adapted to interpose selected color filters into the optical light path. The appropriate color filter attenuates the light rays passing through lens 18 to record an electrostatic latent image on photoconductive surface 12 corresponding to a preselected spectral region of the electromagnetic wave spectrum, hereinafter referred to as a single color electrostatic latent image. A suitable moving lens system is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,062,108 issued to Mayo in 1962, and a suitable color filter mechanism is described in copending application Ser. No. 830,282 filed in 1969.

Drum 10 next rotates the single color electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 to development station C. At development station, C, three individual developer units, generally indicated by the reference numerals 28, 30, and 32, respectively, are positioned adjacent drum 10. A suitable development station of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, is disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 255,259, filed in 1972. The individual developer units of the development system are all of the type referred to generally as magnetic brush developer units. A typical magnetic brush developer unit utilizes a magnetizable developer mix having carrier granules and toner particles therein. The developer mix is continually brought through a directional flux field to form a brush thereof. The electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 is developer by bringing the brush of developer mix into contact therewith. Toner particles are attracted from the brush of developer mix to the electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 forming a powder image thereon. Each of the respective developer units contains discretely colored toner particles corresponding to the complement of the spectral region of the wave length of light transmitted through filter 20. For example, a green filtered electrostatic latent image is rendered visible by depositing green absorbing magenta toner particles on the electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12. Blue and red latent images are developed with yellow and cyan toner particles, respectively.

After the single color electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 is developed with suitably colored toner particles, drum 10 rotates to transfer station D. At transfer station D, the toner powder image adhering to photoconductive surface 12 is transferred to a sheet of final support material 34. Support material 34 may be, amongst others, plain paper or a sheet of thermoplastic material. The transfer roll, shown generally at 36, is arranged to have support material 34 secured releasably thereto and recirculates therewith. Transfer roll 36 rotates in the direction of arrow 38 at substantially the same angular velocity as drum 10. In this manner, successive single color toner powder images may be transferred from photoconductive surface 12 to support material 34. Transfer roll 36 is biased electrically to a potential of sufficient magnitude and polarity to attract electrostaticallythe toner powder image from photoconductive surface 12 to support material 34. A suitably electrically biased transfer roll 36 is described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,612,677 issued to L'angdon et al. in 1971.

Prior to continuing with the description of the printing process, the sheet feeding arrangement of the printing machine depicted in FIG. 1 will be discussed. Support material 34 is advanced from a stack 40 thereof disposed on a tray 42. Feed roll 44, operatively associated with retard roll 46 advances and separates the uppermost sheet from stack 40 disposed on tray 42. The advancing uppermost sheet moves into chute 48 which directs it into the nip between register rolls 50. Register rolls 50 align the sheet, and advance it to transfer roll 36. Gripper fingers 52 secure releasably support material to transfer roll 36. After a plurality of toner powder images have been transferred to support material 34 (in this case, 3), gripper fingers 52 space support material 34 from transfer roll 36. This enables stripper bar 54 to be interposed therebetween separating support material 34 from transfer roll 36.

Continuing now with the printing process, after support material 34 is separated from transfer roll 36, it is advanced on endless belt conveyor 56 to fixing station E. At fixing station E, a fuser, indicated generally at 58 permanently affixes the multi-layered toner powder image to support material 34. One type of suitable fuser is described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,498,592 issued to Moser et al. in 1970. After the fixing process, support material 34 is advanced by endless belt conveyors 60 and 62 to catch tray 64. Catch tray 64 is arranged so that the machine operator may readily remove the completed multi-color copy therefrom.

After the toner powder images have been transferred from the electrostatic latent image recorded on photoconductive surface 12 to support material 34, some toner particles may'remain on photoconductive surface 12. These residual toner particles are removed from photoconductive surface 12 as it passes through cleaning station E. Initially, the toner particles are brought under the influence of a cleaning corona generating device (not shown) arranged to neutralize the electrostatic charge remaining on the toner particles. The neutralized toner particles are then mechanically cleaned from photoconductive surface 12 by a rotatably mounted fibrous brush 66 in contact therewith. A suitable brush cleaning device is described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,590,412 issued to Gerbasi in I971. As shown in FIG. 1, rotatably mounted brush 66 is in contact with photoconductive surface 12 and mechanically removes the residual toner particles remaining thereon. Thus, photoconductive surface 12 has the residual toner particles cleaned therefrom prior to repeating the foregoing print cycle for the next successive toner powder image.

It is believed that the foregoing description is sufficient to illustrate the general operation of a multi-color electrophotographic printing machine utilizing the chart creation apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to the specific subject matter of the present invention, FIG. 2 depicts schematically, in perspective, the chart creation apparatus thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the chart creation apparatus includes a frame member, shown generally by the reference numeral 68, and elongated indicator members, shown generally by the reference numeral 70. The frame member 68 is of generally planar rectangular configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, frame member 68 includes a substantially rectangular aperture 72 therein. In addition, frame member 68 has a plurality of guide portions or slots 74 substantially equally spaced and opposed from one another. Slots 74 are adapted to receive indicator members 70. Indicator members 70 are mounted slidably in slots 74 and pass through the side portions of frame member 68. In this way, indicator members 70 extend into aperture 72 and are visible thereon. Each indicator member 70 represents a bar of a chart, the magnitude of the bar being the length of extension into aperture 72. As shown in FIG..2, a plurality of indicator members 70 may be utilized. Each indicator member 70 is preferably of a discrete color distinguishable from adjacent indicator members 70 and adapted to be reproduced in complete fidelity by the FIG. 1 printing machine. Hence, each bar of the resulting chart will be clearly distinguishable from adjacent bars. Preferably, indicator members 70 are elongated members of a substantially rectangular cross section. Frame member 68 also includes a first marginal region 76 having a first open ended slot 78 therein. Slot 78 extends over a portion of marginal region '76 and is arranged to be substantially normal to indicator members 70 when they are mounted as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, frame member 68 includes a second marginal region 80 having a second open ended slot 82 therein. Second open ended slot 82 is similar to first open ended slot 78 and has the open ended portion thereof extending over a portion of second marginal region 80. While FIG. 1 illustrates indicator member 70 passing through guide portion 74 in first marginal region 76, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention is not necessarily so limited. For example, indicator members may be adapted to pass through guide portions 74 of third marginal region 84, which would place them substantially normal to the second open ended slot 82. In lieu, thereof, indicator members 70 may be passed through guide portions 74 in marginal regions 86 or 88 equally as well.

Heretofore, the manner in which the bars of a chart may be created has been described in detail. However, no mention has been made of the formulation of suitable scales for the foregoing bars. First open ended slot 78, is adapted to receive therein a first elongated scale member 88. First elongated scale member 88 includes a plurality of indicia 90 thereon adapted to form a calibration scale for one axis of the bar chart. A plurality of different scale members may be utilized to obtain the desired scale range. For example, the scale may range from 0 to in increments of 20 or in any other range suitable for the chart being formed. Indicia 90 on scale member 88 are adapted to be displayed through the open ended portion of slot member 78. This forms a scale on one axis of the bar chart hwich is visible and readily reproducible.

In a similar manner, a second elongated scale member 92 is adapted to be received in second open ended slot 82. Second elongated scale 92 includes indicia 94 thereon adapted to form a calibration scale for the second axis of the bar chart being formed. Indicia 94 may be of any suitable range. Preferably, a plurality of elongated scale members 92 are available, each having its own discrete range of indicia 94 thereon. For example, indicia 94 on elongated scale member 92 may range from 0 to 100 in increments of 10.

A transparent sheet member 96, preferably made from an acetate material, is arranged to be disposed over aperture 72 of frame member 68. Sheet member 96 has nomenclature on marginal regions 98 and 1 00 thereof indicating the title of the various scales utilized for the bar chart. Thus, it is evident that by positioning the appropriate scale members 88 and 92 in slots 78 and 82, respectively, of frame member 68, and disposing indicating bars 70 as required along the foregoing scale member, a bar chart may be readily formed by chart creation apparatus 22 of the present invention. In addition, transparent sheet 96 is adapted to be disposed thereon to provide the requisite scale title information. After chart creation apparatus 22 has formed the appropriate bar chart, it is disposed on platen 24, of the multi-color electrophotographic printing machine depicted in FIG. 1. In this manner, a plurality of multicolor copies may be reproduced from chart creation apparatus 22. Each of the bar charts that are formed from chart creation apparatus 22 corresponds thereto and has suitable colors thereon to provide a clearly distinguishable display of the requisite information.

It, therefore, appears that there has been provided an apparatus for creating a bar chart in a readily simple manner by relatively unskilled personnel. The technique does not require the utilization of skilled draftsmen but merely requires the presentation of the data to clerical personnel and the utilization of the chart creation apparatus of the present invention.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention a chart creation apparatus that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for creating a chart, including:

a frame member having an aperture therein and comprising a plurality of substantially equally spaced opposed guide portions extending throughout the peripheral region thereof, said frame member further comprising a first marginal region having a first open ended slot interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein and a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region and having a second open ended slot substantially normal to the first open ended slot and being interposed between and substantially co-linear with a 'pair of guide portions located therein;

a plurality of elongated indicator members mounted slidably in the guide portions of said frame member, said indicator members being adapted to extend substantially parallel with one another into the aperture of said frame member to form a bar chart;

first elongated scale member having a plurality of substantially equally spaced indicia thereon, said first scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the first marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the first open ended slot therein;

second elongated scale member having a plurality of equally spaced indicia thereon, said second scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the second marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the second open ended slot therein; and

a substantially transparent sheet member having first scale nomenclature printed on a first marginal region thereof and second scale nomenclature printed on a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region, said transparent sheet'member being adapted to interfit over the aperture in said frame member with the first scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said first elongated scale and the second scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said second elongated scale.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a generally planar rectangular portion with the aperture therein being of a generally rectangular configuration.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said indicator members are each of a discrete color distinguishable from one another.

4. An apparatus adapted to create an original chart arranged to be disposed on a platen of multi-color electrophotographic printing machine for producing color copies thereof, including:

a frame member having an aperture therein and a plurality of substantially equally spaced opposed guide portions extending throughout the peripheral region thereof; sad frame member being disposed on the platen of the printing machine and further comprising a first marginal region having a first open ended slot interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein and a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region and having a second open ended slot substantially normal to the first open ended slot and being interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein;

a plurality of elongated indicator members mounted slidably in the guide portions of said frame member, said indicator members being adapted to extend substantially parallel with one another into the aperture of said frame member to form a bar chart;

first elongated scale member having a plurality of substantially equally spaced indicia thereon, said first scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the first marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the first open ended slot therein;

second elongated scale member having a plurality of equally spaced indicia thereon, said second scale member being adapted to be mounted slidablyin the guide portions of the second marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the second open ended slot therein; and

a substantially transparent sheet member having first scale nomenclature printed on a first marginal region thereof and second scale nomenclature printed on a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region, said transpare'nt sheet being adapted to interfit over the aperture in said frame member with the first scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said first elongated scale and the second scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said second elongated scale.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said frame member includes a generally planar rectangular portion with the aperture therein being of a generally rectangular configuration.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said indicator members are each of a discrete color distinguishable from one another. 

1. An apparatus for creating a chart, including: a frame member having an aperture therein and comprising a plurality of substantially equally spaced opposed guide portions extending throughout the peripheral region thereof, said frame member further comprising a first marginal region having a first open ended slot interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein and a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region and having a second open ended slot substantially normal to the first open ended slot and being interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein; a plurality of elongated indicator members mounted slidably in the guide portions of said frame member, said indicator members being adapted to extend substantially parallel with one another into the aperture of said frame member to form a bar chart; a first elongated scale member having a plurality of substantially equally spaced indicia thereon, said first scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the first marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the first open ended slot therein; a second elongated scale member having a plurality of equally spaced indicia thereon, said second scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the second marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the second open ended slot therein; and a substantially transparent sheet member having first scale nomenclature printed on a first marginal region thereof and second scale nomenclature printed on a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region, said transparent sheet member being adapted to interfit over the aperture in said frame member with the first scale nomenclature tHereon substantially in alignment with said first elongated scale and the second scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said second elongated scale.
 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a generally planar rectangular portion with the aperture therein being of a generally rectangular configuration.
 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said indicator members are each of a discrete color distinguishable from one another.
 4. An apparatus adapted to create an original chart arranged to be disposed on a platen of multi-color electrophotographic printing machine for producing color copies thereof, including: a frame member having an aperture therein and a plurality of substantially equally spaced opposed guide portions extending throughout the peripheral region thereof, sad frame member being disposed on the platen of the printing machine and further comprising a first marginal region having a first open ended slot interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein and a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region and having a second open ended slot substantially normal to the first open ended slot and being interposed between and substantially co-linear with a pair of guide portions located therein; a plurality of elongated indicator members mounted slidably in the guide portions of said frame member, said indicator members being adapted to extend substantially parallel with one another into the aperture of said frame member to form a bar chart; a first elongated scale member having a plurality of substantially equally spaced indicia thereon, said first scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the first marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the first open ended slot therein; a second elongated scale member having a plurality of equally spaced indicia thereon, said second scale member being adapted to be mounted slidably in the guide portions of the second marginal region of said frame member so that the indicia thereon are visible through the second open ended slot therein; and a substantially transparent sheet member having first scale nomenclature printed on a first marginal region thereof and second scale nomenclature printed on a second marginal region substantially normal to the first marginal region, said transparent sheet being adapted to interfit over the aperture in said frame member with the first scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said first elongated scale and the second scale nomenclature thereon substantially in alignment with said second elongated scale.
 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said frame member includes a generally planar rectangular portion with the aperture therein being of a generally rectangular configuration.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said indicator members are each of a discrete color distinguishable from one another. 